Across the nation.

Gore Said To Favor Bomb Range Move

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — Vice President Al Gore wants the Navy to find an alternative to a Puerto Rico bombing range the Navy says is vital to national security, Puerto Rico's governor said Thursday.

Gore told Gov. Pedro Rossello in a phone call late Wednesday that he had told President Clinton the Navy must look for an alternative to the range on the inhabited island of Vieques, Rossello reported.

Rossello has led a drive to remove the Navy from Vieques since an April 19 bombing accident killed a security guard inside the range. Clinton ordered a Pentagon commission to look into whether alternatives exist.

Gore spokeswoman Melissa Ratcliff confirmed Gore had urged Clinton to seek a solution to the dispute but said she did not know if he had taken a side: "We don't discuss the private telephone calls of the vice president."

Gore's support would be the highest-level endorsement yet for Puerto Rico's struggle with the Navy.